TROY, Mo. – After a resident shared bodycam video from a traffic stop in July to social media and accused police of using excessive force, the Troy, Missouri, Police Department issued a statement on Tuesday.
Andrew Mencin posted two videos of police bodycam footage to Facebook Sunday. The post states, “On July 11, Troy PD attacked me and my wife.”
The two videos cover over 13 minutes of the officer pulling the vehicle over and conducting a traffic stop that quickly escalated as tasers were drawn. Mencin’s wife, Aaliyah, was put in handcuffs, and their children in the backseat can be heard crying.
The Troy Police Department states that they were initially pulling Mencin over for speeding and an apparent fraudulent license plate. They say Mencin pulled over some time later in a dimly lit dead-end road. An officer attempted to bring Mencin back to the patrol car when he allegedly pulled away. Police say they tried several times to get him to comply before they resorted to using tasers three times to handcuff him.
Additionally, Aaliyah was arrested due to what police say was a failure to follow the officer’s orders while “pointing objects out of the driver window at officers.” They accused her of intentionally placing herself in the backseat between her children before she was pulled out and struck her head on the concrete.
Following the arrests, the children were given to family members. The Mencin’s were transferred to the local hospital for treatment before being cleared for detention at the Lincoln County Jail, according to police.
Court records accuse Andrew of causing over $750 worth of damage while he was in the back of the patrol car, stating he ripped out wires, causing emergency lights to be non-functioning as well as damaging the floor and ceiling.
One of Andrew’s Facebook posts with pictures of the damage states, “I did everything I could to try and distract (the officers) or get them away from my kids after seeing what they did to my wife.”
Many people were responded to the video on social media, with some expressing frustration with the officers’ use of force and others placing blame on the couple.
The police department then posted a statement on Facebook Tuesday that read, in part:
“The incident that occurred involving Mr. and Mrs. Mencin and their children on July 11 was disheartening, and it was preventable. We understand situations involving minors and use of force incidents are particularly sensitive and can evoke strong emotions in our community. We want to assure the public that we take this matter seriously and are fully cooperating with the Lincoln County Prosecutors Office through the course of this investigation and prosecution.
The prosecutor’s office will review all evidence to determine the appropriate charges, if any. We recognize the impact this incident has on all involved and on our community. We are reviewing our policies and procedures to ensure they align with best practices in de-escalation and community-oriented policing. We are committed to transparency and will proactively share updates as the ongoing legal process allows, ensuring our community remains informed while respecting the integrity of the case. This remains an active and ongoing case, and we would like to thank the public for their patience during this process. Our goal is to serve and protect all members of our community with professionalism and respect.”
According to court records, Andrew is charged with one count of first-degree property damage, one count of resisting arrest, and one count of fourth-degree assault. A hearing is scheduled for Oct. 16.
